John Kennedy Toole authored A Confederacy of Dunces, one of the most hilarious and enduring novels in American Literature. Unfortunately, he committed suicide twelve years before its publication. After years of teaching the novel and researching his life, I am writing a book that is long overdue: a critical biography of John Kennedy Toole. In this blog I will share my thoughts and experiences as I explore one of the most compelling stories of American Literary History.

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

I have just returned from New Orleans. It was my last research trip before I complete the manuscript and send it off to the publisher. There were many wonderful events that happened this past week.

On Monday I had lunch with the Dominican Sisters that once ran Dominican College (pictured above) where Toole taught the last few years of his life. Thanks to Karen at Loyola for giving me a tour of the old college and for the special access to the cupola--offering a rare view of New Orleans.

I recovered some great material at University of Lousiana at Lafayette and his old high school, dove back into the Toole papers at Tulane one last time and met with one of his previous students.

But the highlight of the trip was meeting the sister of Toole's best friend. She has so many lovely stories of Toole that speak to his lively personality and his development as a writer. Best of all, we got her to sit for a recorded interview that will be added to the film.

Many thanks to all of the wonderful people in Louisiana that have welcomed me and supported my research. I expect the next time I am down there will be to promote the book after publication

I will begin reading the manuscript through "cover to cover," as it is intended, by the end of this week.